We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Ferrel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

For many years, I designed gifts for my children and extended family. When I finally got up enough confidence to offer my designs for sale, I started with what is still my favorite and my best seller, the Horny Toad Plush Toy. I painstakingly made a prototype, writing down every step as I went. Then I made several more in different colors, making changes to the pattern with each one. I opened my Etsy shop and listed the pattern for sale. After several weeks of promoting on social media, I finally got my first sale! The excitement cannot be put into words – I’m a professional designer! That was nearly six years ago, and now I have almost 300 designs on Etsy, Ravelry, Amazon Kindle, and my own website. I have also had several designs published in national crochet magazines.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As a child, my father and grandmother taught me to knit and crochet, but I wasn’t really very interested. My mother taught me to sew my own clothing, and that was where I focused my attention. When a friend taught me to read crochet patterns in my 20s, I couldn’t get enough. Holidays always included handmade gifts, sometimes from a pattern and sometimes from my imagination.

What I learned about sewing from my mother has served me well as a crochet designer when it comes to sizing garments, the drape of the fabric, and estimating materials.

My favorite items to make are toys and clothing for children. Holiday items are also a lot of fun to design.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Many people will pay exorbitant prices for designer goods, simply because they saw a celebrity wearing the item. When it comes to handmade goods, however, they want bargain prices. People need to learn the value of handmade and the quality that comes with it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The original goal was to provide supplemental income for my retirement. Now I’m working at my crochet design business full time and haven’t yet decided whether I will retire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myfingersfly.com
• Instagram: @myfingersfly
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/myfingersfly
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/myfingersfly
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/myfingersfly
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@myfingersfly

Image Credits
MK Design Life